YAWODI Executive Director Dr. OREC Visits Youth Cocoa Farmers, Urges Rural Youth to Explore Commercial Farming

By Jimmy Olot 

LIRA, UGANDA — The Youth at Work Development Initiative (YAWODI), led by its Executive Director, Dr. Isaac Orec, has followed up on young people who received practical training in cocoa farming last year, encouraging them to explore agriculture as a potential pathway to improved livelihoods.

The YAWODI team, led by Dr. Orec, visited farms on Thursday belonging to youth who participated in a cocoa farming training conducted in June 2025 at Victoria Mixed Farm in Akalo.

The training brought together more than 20 young people from St. Augustine Church of Uganda, Barogole, equipping them with practical skills in cocoa planning, establishment and cultivation.

During the visit, Dr. Orec commended the young farmers for putting the knowledge they acquired into practice. He encouraged them to view cocoa as a long-term agricultural investment, while noting that its success depends on factors such as good farm management, productivity, access to markets and prevailing cocoa prices.

He cited Priscilla Apili, a Makerere University student from Kirombe, who has planted 70 cocoa trees after becoming interested in the crop.

Dr. Orec said cocoa could provide an additional source of income in the future if the trees are properly managed and market conditions remain favourable.

He also urged rural youth to become more proactive in creating their own economic opportunities.

 “Wake up and take the mantle of fighting poverty,” Dr. Orec urged.

Government Pledges Support

Christine Anono, the Lira District Community Development Officer, praised YAWODI for providing practical agricultural knowledge to young people and pledged government support for initiatives aimed at improving youth livelihoods.

Anono also said free cocoa and coffee seedlings are expected to be available to farmers during the next planting season, which could help interested farmers establish or expand their plantations.

Youth Begin Investing in Cocoa

For some beneficiaries, the training has already influenced their farming decisions.

Emmanuel Okot from Anai Bung said a visit to Victoria Mixed Farm motivated him to start his own cocoa project.

“I was motivated by what I saw at Victoria Farm,” Okot said.

He has since planted cocoa on **one acre of land and plans to expand the farm gradually.

Priscilla Apili from Kirombe said her father provided her with land after she became interested in cocoa farming.

Apili said she was encouraged by Dr. Orec's advice that cocoa can become a potentially valuable commercial crop when properly established and managed.

 Cocoa Farming Requires Long-Term Commitment

While cocoa has the potential to become a source of income for farmers, agricultural experts generally caution that farmers need to consider the time required for trees to mature, farm establishment and maintenance costs, pests and diseases, weather conditions and access to reliable markets.

For young farmers in Northern Uganda, cocoa therefore represents an opportunity rather than a guaranteed route to wealth.

 Success will depend on sustained management, appropriate agronomic practices, quality planting materials, market access and favourable prices.

YAWODI's follow-up programme seeks to ensure that young people who receive agricultural training are supported as they translate knowledge into practical farming enterprises.

The initiative is encouraging youth to consider farming not only for household food production, but also as one of several possible avenues for building sustainable livelihoods.